Audi records 98 pc growth in July

Ludhiana August 5,2012 : Audi, the German luxury car manufacturer, continued to perform successfully in India as it marked up a sale of 680cars in July 2012- a growth of 98 percent over the same period last year (July 2011: 343 cars). The brand with the four rings grew by 49 percent during January to July of 2012, selling 4680vehicles as compared to 3145 vehicles sold during the same period last year.

“Each month of this year has seen Audi India grow from strength to strength. A total of 4680 cars have been sold so far this year and the49 percent growth clocked is remarkable thus making India among the top 3 growth markets YTD of AUDI AG worldwide. Despite speculation about economic upheavals, we are charging ahead on a well mapped out route towards leadership. We have a target of 8000 cars to be sold this year. I am confident that our robust customer proposition will help us surpass targets yet again this year”, said Michael Perschke, Head, Audi India.

Leading the growth for Audi in India is the Audi A6 alongwith the new Audi A4 and the Audi Q3. The strengthened ‘A’ range of limousines with the Audi A8 L, Audi A6, and Audi A7 Sportback have also caught a lot of attention.The new Audi A4with its progressive design, efficient driving dynamics and class defining interiors is doing exceptionally well with the younger audience. The launch of the Audi Q3 in June further boosted sales with 500 bookings received within 5 days. 200 of these were delivered in June itself, and bookings are now open for additional 500 cars.  Audi continues to dominate the luxury SUV segment, with the Audi Q5, Audi Q7 and now Audi Q3 and the super sports carsegment with its Audi R8, Audi R8 Spyder and Audi RS5.

Audi India also announced the opening of its 20th showroom in India in Navi Mumbai. Spread over a total area of 5100 sq. ft. the Audi Navi Mumbai showroomis Audi’s 4th showroom in Maharashtra. Located in the Raghuleela Mall in Vashi, the showroom has a display area that can accommodate 6 Audi cars.  Audi Navi Mumbai will also house an Audi Shop and Audi Exclusive elements, where customers can order customized products and purchase a variety of Audi branded merchandise.

“We are aiming for the No.1position by 2015 and each milestone achieved is further spurring our speed towards the top spot. Our product offering, brand positioningand after sales services are finding resonance with discerning luxury customers in India. It is their aspiration for real luxury mobility that is fueling our growth”, added Perschke.

Globally, the Audi Group succeeded in adding yet another chapter to its success story in the first half of the year, despite weaker economic growth and the contraction of many car markets. Audi clocked €25.0 billion revenue, an operating profit of €2.9 billion, and an 11.5 percent operating return on sales.

Audi India plans to expand its network to 25 dealerships by the end of 2012 from its existing 20centres. The company had also recently opened new showrooms in Coimbatore, Delhi West, Nagpur and its second in Madhya Pradesh in Bhopal. Last year, the luxury carmaker opened new showrooms in Delhi South, Chennai, Ludhiana, Surat and Indore. Further developments include Lucknow and Goa among others.

The Audi model range in India includes the new Audi A4, Audi A6, Audi A7 Sportback, Audi A8L, Audi Q3, Audi Q5, Audi Q7, Audi S4, Audi RS5 Coupé, Audi TTCoupé, the super sports car Audi R8 and the Audi R8 Spyder available across the country: in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Coimbatore, Delhi South, Delhi West, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Ludhiana, Mumbai West, Nagpur, Navi Mumbai, Pune and Surat.